Method and apparatus for centrifugally washing sugar, chemicals, etc.



April 1947- F. w. KOPPLIN ,418,776

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGALLY WASHING SUGAR, CHEMICALS, ETC- Filed lay 25, 1942 2 Sheets-6M0; 1

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ATTORNE Apnl 8, 1947. F. w. KOPPLIN 8,

. METHOD AND APPARATUS. FOR CENTRIFUGALLY WASHING, SUGAR, CHEMICALS, ETC.

. Filed lay 25, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 8, 1947 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRIF- UGALLY WASHING SUGAR CHEMICALS,

ETC.

Frederick W. Kopplin, Hardin, Mont. Application May 25, 1942, Serial No. 444,416

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in methods and apparatus for the centrifugal wash ing of sugar, chemicals or other materials.

lhe primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved method and apparatus for the intermittent washing of materials, such as sugar, during the normal Washing period.

In the centrifugal purification of sugar or other like materials, the cycle of operation generally includes a first step of centrifugal elimination of free syrup from the sugar grains, and then the centrifugal washing of the resultant sugar grains in order to remove the coating of syrup that adheres thereto; this washing being accomplished by means of a spray directed against the revolving sugar mass. Ihe present invention is principally concerned with the washing step. In conventional centrifugal machines, a wash control head is provided for the automatic starting and stopping of the washing fluid. During the washing period the conventional machine continuously sprays the sugar. However, I have found that by intermittently controlling the off and on operation of the spray during this washing period, a more eflicient dissipation of the impurities is accomplished, with an increased yield in the pure product; thus doing away with the necessity of reprocessing large percentages of the material being treated.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of conventional sugar treating centrifugal machincry and its automatic cycle controls, with my improved mechanism associated therewith for the intermittent washing of the sugar during the washin period.

Figure 2 is a view of a circuit regulating cam associated with my intermittent control.

Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, or my improved mechanism for variably control ling the intermittent washing of sugar, chemicals, etc, in a centrifugal.

Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 are details of the cam mechanism for varying the washing period between the intermittent ofi periods, as controlled by the improved mechanism'of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view, partly in tion, showing the manner in which the ca: rangement is manipulated.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic representation of the intermittent washing control shown in Figure l, but with the switch contacts in a diilerent relation in the controlling circuit,

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, the letter A may generally designate centrifugal machinery for the washing of sugar, chemicals and the like, having a'spray B associated therewith which isautomatically controlled as to the washing period by mechanism and means C. Associated in a cooperative relation with the mechanism C is my improved mechanlsm D for the intermittent control of the spray during the washing period.

The centrifugal mechanism A may be of the type generally shown in such United States patents as 1,627,868; 1,826,675 and 2,128,575, and of the type manufactured by-the Western States Machine Company of Hamilton, Ohio. Such mechanism generally includes centrifugal apparatus A having a rotary centrifugal basket H3; basket suspension shaft H and casing 12, the operation of which will be well understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention relates.

The spray mechanism B is adapted to produce a plurality of fine sprays for washing the material in the centrifugal. The washing medium is controlled by valve 20 ordinarily controlled by the automatic .wash control head mechanism C above referred to.

The centrifugal equipment is generally of that type manufactured by the Western States Machine Company, such as shown in part in prior U. S. Patents 1,627,868; 1,826,675 and 2,128,575.=

with this centrifugal mechanism is associated automatic control mechanism also manufactured by the Western'States Machine Company for controlling the cycles of the different steps automatically, and shown at least in part in such prior U. S. patents as: 1,719,132; 1,758,901 and 1,861,978.

Conventional automatic wash head equipment includes a shaft 30 driven by suitable motor and gear reducing mechanism (not shown). A longitudinally movable rod or memberjl is associated therewith for normally controlling the op eratlon of the spray valve. In the case of the present invention, however, this part 3| operates a switch 32 which controls a circuit thru a solenoid 33. The latter is associated with the valve 20 and opens the valve upon energization of this circuit.

The mechanism for intermittent control of the materials in the centrifugal during the washing c in means i. .itable 52, 'iveii by of a motor notion mechanism 54 of com rheostat 525 may be associated varying the speed thereof.

with the motor for The can mechanism Si is of type which can be manualiy adjusted so as to vary the ofi on period the switch mechanism 50.

The switch mechanism 50 preferably includes c pairs of contacts for the same circuit; only one pair of contacts being disposed in the circuit at any one time, purposes to be subsequently me tioned. {)ne pair of these contacts 55 and Thus it can be 12 includes two pairs of he contacts at any one time, desired operation of the device.

h disconnected therefrom and er and pivoted at -h mechanism upon the post :2? will he i or the 53 the 3 the the it irom any an I is disposed hich it controls. 32 holds I s 1 or regulatim the 0. 32 and on the switch comprises a pair of cam and The cam disc is keyed at e shaft tli a throw i 'lce less than if n.

less

- eration of the solenoid 33.

4 the disc cam 9| towards the disc cam 90. The opposite end of the spring l 16 engages the washer or disc 120 detachably connected at 12! upon the outer end of the shaft 52, as shown in Figures 3 and 8 of the drawings.

It is readily obvious that the throw arc of the cam arrangement 5| can be varied by pulling the cam disc 91 away from the cam disc and rotating it to the position desired. It is noted from Figures 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings that the throw surfaceof the cam disc is graduated and of course the shoulder I25 at the end of the throw of the cam disc 9i may be associated with these delineations to determine the throw arc of the cam which is effective for closing the switch 50.

With the contacts 55 and 56 disposed in the circuit 80, a period of switch closing of the circuit through this switch 50 cannot be made shorter than the period of broken contact or opening of the circuit. That is true because throws of both of the cam discs 90 and Si extend through substantially However, the closing of the circuit 80 through this switch 50 can be made shorter than the period of broken contact by transposing the ends of the wires of the circuit 80 out of connection with the contacts 55 and 56 and into connection with the contacts 58 and 59. Under these circumstances, the switch 50 will close the circuit 80 when the roller 1 I0 is in the depression of the cam mechanism 5! that is, oil of the throw portions.

Referring to the operation, the master control or automatic wash control head C commences to function upon starting the centrifugal washihg operation and during the entire period of the washing step of treatment of the sugar or other materials being washed, this wash head will hold the member 3i down and close the circuit 80 through the switch 32. Of course the circuit 80 when closed holds the valve 20 open through op- Hcwever, during this wash period, the washing spray is intermittently controlled as to its effective oil? and on," by means of the intermittent circuit maker and breaker mechanism D which operates as above described to intermittently make and break the circuit 80 during the wash period as automatically regulated by the automatic wash head. C. Of course any time the switch 50 closes the circuit 80, the solenoid 33 is operated to open the valve 20.

The time period of washing as controlled by the means C is determined, as is also the time of each of the washing periods controlled by the intermittent operating device D, by the nature and degree of impurity of the material being treated. It will be obvious that those skilled in the art can readily determine these time factors.

As shown in the drawings, any number of the centrifugals in a battery or set-up of centrifugal machines may be employed.

Changes in details may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. The improvement in the method of centrifugal purification of sugar and like solids wherein there is a purging treatment followed by a centrifugal washing step of predetermined length, which consists in the intermittent washing of the sugar or like solids being centrifugally treated for the entire washing step.

2. In centrifugal. apparatus for treating sugar and other materials for the removal or certain t we centrifugally separable impurities and therefrom, the combination of a centrifuge, a valve for admitting a washing medium to the centrifuge, a solenoid for operating said va1ve,.a switch in circuit with the solenoid, an automatic control mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of said switch tor a predetermined period of time, and control means comprising a second switch in series in the circuit with said first switch, and means for intermittently opens- 10 ing and closing said last mentioned switch during the aforesaid predetermined time.

3. In apparatus for the centrifugal purification of sugar or other centriiugally separable materials, the combination 0! a centrifuge wherein the materials are to be washed; means for supp ying washing fluid to the materials in the centri time including a valve, an'electric circuit, control means in said circuit for (.perating said valve including a switch in the circuitanda control device for opening and closing said switch and r 6 the circuit in which it is placed, a second switch infeaid circuit, and a second control means for the switch including means for interlmittently opening and closing said second switch.

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nuannscsscrran' lollowinzreterences areot record inthe nie'orthispatent: i r

s'rsrss PATENTS 9 Carlson May 15, 1929 

